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Brain triggers immune response at sight of illness: Seeing virtual representations of people with signs of illness, such as coughs or rashes, activates brain regions linked to personal space and triggers an innate immune response that mimics the body’s response to a real infection. This brain-driven immune activation suggests potential uses of virtual reality to boost vaccine responses by priming the immune system before exposure, researchers reported in Nature Neuroscience.

AI-designed viruses target antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Scientists at Stanford University have created the first AI-designed viruses capable of targeting and killing E. coli bacteria. This breakthrough, detailed in a preprint on bioRxiv, demonstrates AI’s potential in designing biotechnological tools and therapies. Using AI models Evo 1 and Evo 2, the researchers generated viral genomes that successfully infected antibiotic-resistant E. coli strains, showcasing a promising advancement for phage therapy. However, the study also raises biosafety concerns as the technology progresses toward AI-generated life.

Oral bacteria linked to heart attack risk: DNA from oral bacteria was found in a significant portion of arterial plaques from sudden death victims and surgical patients, and when activated by external triggers, these bacteria may provoke immune responses that contribute to plaque rupture and the onset of myocardial infarction, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. The findings highlight both the potential for biofilm-targeted therapies to prevent heart attacks and the importance of oral hygiene in cardiovascular health.

From pig organs to 3D printing: The future of transplants – Science writer Mary Roach’s latest book, “Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy,” explores the history and future of replacing human body parts, from 16th-century prosthetic noses to modern advances in gene editing and 3D-printed tissue. Roach traces how pigs became the standard model for organ transplants, why genetic editing is crucial to reduce rejection and how scientists are working to print muscle that mimics natural structures.

Mouse study shows that maternal inflammation linked to long-term anxiety risk in offspring: A study with mice showed that that prenatal inflammation or stress during pregnancy can trigger epigenetic changes in specific neurons in the offspring’s hippocampus, leaving them primed for anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood. Researchers say these findings link prenatal adversity to lasting brain changes and may guide the search for early biomarkers and new treatments.

Melinda French Gates pledges another $50M for women’s health: Melinda French Gates has committed an additional $50 million to women’s health research through Pivotal Ventures and Wellcome Leap. The funding will be used to address areas such as autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular disease, and mental health. “Women’s health is chronically underfunded, chronically under-researched, and, as a result, not well understood,” French Gates said.

Amphetamines can be extremely helpful for people with certain neuropsychiatric conditions, such as ADHD. However, they are also frequently misused and abused, creating a growing public health problem. There are currently no medicines for treating amphetamine use disorder, but hope may be on the horizon: Researchers have zeroed in on how a common microbe enhances the effects of these drugs — which means they might someday be able to do the opposite.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on 09 SEP 2025 sweeping reforms to rein in misleading direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertisements. The FDA sent thousands of letters warning pharmaceutical companies to remove misleading ads and issuing approximately 100 cease-and-desist letters to companies with deceptive ads.

Wild baboon microbiome offers clues to healthy aging: Researchers working with wild baboons in East Africa used microbiome data from fecal samples to develop a gut-based biological aging clock, which they used to predict chronological age with an error rate of two (2) years, outperforming human-based versions. This animal model revealed that age-related shifts in microbial diversity are influenced by sex, social status, and environmental conditions, and the findings, reported in eLife, may help scientists better understand how manipulating the microbiome can promote healthy aging in humans.

Analysis reveals medical device professionals are putting in over a quarter (1/4) more working hours than the average American — the equivalent of 69 extra workdays annually.